A Florida jury has found Iris Williams guilty on multiple charges, including two counts of Second-Degree Murder, Kidnapping with a Firearm, Tampering with Evidence, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
State Attorney Melissa Nelson announced the verdict, which stems from the deaths of Charles Watkins and Thomas Harris, as well as the kidnapping of their elderly mother, in October 2023.
Williams now faces a maximum sentence of life in Florida State Prison. The Honorable Anthony Salem in Duval County will preside over the sentencing at a later date.
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The case unfolded in the early morning hours of October 18, 2023, when the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office responded to a distress call from a Northwest Jacksonville home. The caller was the elderly mother of the two adult male victims, who reported being held hostage after shootings occurred the previous night.
Upon arrival, officers discovered Charles Watkins in a chair with a single fatal gunshot wound to the head. Thomas Harris was found deceased in his bedroom, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Watkins received medical attention at the scene but succumbed to his injuries shortly after at the hospital.
According to reports, the victims’ mother had retired to her room around 9 p.m. the night before. Hearing gunshots, she went into the hallway and found Thomas Harris shot. His reported last words to his mother identified “She shot me,” referring to Williams, who was the longtime girlfriend of Charles Watkins. Williams then allegedly fired another shot at Harris while he was in bed, pointed the firearm at the mother, and stated, “we got to go.”
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Williams forced the mother to drive to a motel, where she was held captive for several hours. During the drive, Williams reportedly admitted to shooting Watkins. Williams also disposed of the firearm from the top of a bridge and attempted to pressure the mother into lying to law enforcement. The mother was able to contact 911 upon their return home in the morning, leading to Williams’ arrest.
The investigation into the case was conducted by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Assistant State Attorneys Jay Plotkin and Crystal Ganpath-Freed prosecuted the case.
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